FIA to monitor sugar mills in crushing season

LAHORE :The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched a comprehensive monitoring campaign to oversee sugar mills' operations during the ongoing crushing season.

This initiative comes on the directives of Prime Minister, aiming to curb tax evasion and ensure transparency in sugar production and distribution. According to the FIA spokesperson, special teams have been formed to monitor key aspects of sugar mills' operations. These include maintaining records of sugar production, stock levels, and daily sales. The teams will also document sugarcane deliveries and the number of trolleys arriving at the mills.

The FIA Lahore Zone has already deployed teams to three major sugar mills. Sarfraz Khan Virrk, Director of FIA Lahore Zone, held a meeting with the teams, assigning specific tasks to ensure accurate and transparent data collection. He emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, ‘Preventing tax evasion is a critical national duty, and any negligence in this regard will not be tolerated.’ The teams have been instructed to carry out their duties with the highest level of responsibility and integrity. Regular updates will be provided to the FIA headquarters, ensuring strict adherence to the assigned tasks.

This move is part of a broader government strategy to increase accountability in the sugar industry, which has faced criticism for alleged tax evasion and stock mismanagement in the past. By ensuring accurate records and preventing tax evasion, the FIA aims to contribute to a more transparent and efficient sugar sector.